CONSTELLATIONS

Constellation detective activity

Constellation detective activity Answer on star map 1-3 Intro video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oxoAAs9TUI

The Hunter The Big Dipper

Cassiopeia= the sitting queen The constellation looks nothing like a sitting queen

Constellation A group of stars that seem to form a distinctive pattern in the sky 88 official constellations by the The International Astronomical Union (IAU) Examples of constellations: - Cancer (the crab) - Ursa Minor (the Little bear) - Ursa Major (the Great bear)

Asterisms Are subsets of constellations which build a constellation itself E.g. Big Dipper is a part of the Ursa Major constellation Belt of Orion is part of Orion constellation The Tea Pot asterism is part of the Archer (Sagittarius) constellation

In reality, Orion looks like this The stars in a pattern are not necessarily the same distance from Earth.

Greek Myth behind the Constellation Orion 3 min Orion, the hunter, appears in the winter sky, with his bow and his hunting dog, Sirius, trailing behind him Greek mythology tells us that, in ancient Greece, Orion was known as a talented hunter. His boast that he could rid the Earth of all the wild animals angered the Earth goddess, Gaia. She sent a scorpion to defeat Orion. Orion tried to battle the scorpion. He quickly realized that he could not shoot his arrow through the creature’s armor. To avoid the scorpion, he jumped into the sea. It was then that Apollo (the Greek god of the Sun) decided to take action. He pointed out to his twin sister, Artemis, a small black object in the sea. Claiming it was a horrible villain, he dared her to shoot it with her bow and arrow. Artemis easily hit the target. When she swam out to retrieve her victim; however, she discovered that the villain was her friend, Orion. Artemis begged the gods to bring Orion back to life, but they refused. Therefore, she put Orion’s picture in the sky so that she could always see him

Polaris = The North Star Does not appear to move in the sky  why? Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTTDWhky9HY Used by people in the northern hemisphere as a compass to find which way is north Furthest two stars from the handle of the Big Dipper point toward Polaris The last star on the handle of the Little dipper is Polaris Can people from Southern hemisphere see Polaris?

Do all people see the same constellations around the world? Since Earth revolves around the sun, you will see different constellations at different times of the year This also depends on your latitude (What’s latitude?) Latitude = the distance from the equator Canada 45.4000° N, 75.6667° W Equator Our Earth

Hands-on task Station 1: Make and use a planisphere (star map) How to use a star chart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTO11vNMRJg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbz3QnAbzFM (longer, more details) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTO11vNMRJg

Station 2: Download Skyview app onto ipad to locate different constellations (10 min) Star chart app Skyview app

Station 3: Make a constellation out of your name

Station 4: An overview of the Sun, Earth & Moon On teacher’s data projector If not finished inclass; do for HW for further practice http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/environment_earth_universe/astronomy_space/activity/ Powerpoint and Links posted on course website

Practice using the Star map Set the Star map to show the sky for 9 pm today. Today’s date should be next to 9pm. What constellations are visible? Turn the dial until it is set for 11 pm tonight: What constellations are visible? b. Which constellations were visible at 9pm but no longer visible at 11 pm? c. Which constellations are visible at 11 pm but not at 9 pm? 3. Turn the dial until it is set for 6 am Which constellations are still visible that were up at 9 pm? b. Describe the motion of the constellations follow from 9pm to 6 am? Remember: It’s the Earth that rotates; not that the sky/stars revolve around the Earth Which horizon is closest to the disappearing constellations?